Jorge Masvidal challenges critics of potential Conor McGregor fight

Jorge Masvidal isn’t chasing his next opponent. Over the past few months, he’s repeatedly said as much.

Seemingly open to all comers, Masvidal (35-13 MMA, 12-6 UFC) still has a preference. In a recent interview with Fansided, Masvidal was asked which he’d prefer: a fight with Conor McGregor or a UFC welterweight title shot against Kamaru Usman.

To “Gamebred,” one of those choices is more appealing than the other.

“Conor is not always going to be around,” Masvidal said. “Whoever has that belt at the time will always be there. There will always be a 170-pound champion.

“What is the big deal if this guy that’s been in the sport 16 (expletive) years goes on and gets a paycheck? I’m fighting a (expletive) killer, a two-time champion, a guy that’s a sniper with his left hand – and I’m also going to make a paycheck.”

Should it happen, any criticism of a matchup with McGregor (21-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) is unwarranted, according to Masvidal. The way he sees it, he’s paid his dues for 16 years to make the biggest paydays possible, and fans should understand that.

“So what’s the problem with that?” Masvidal said. “There is no problem with that. It’s just some of the casual fans who have been watching the sport for three to five years, and they think they’re (expletive) diehard fans or hardcore fans. No, I’m the one.

“It’s been 16 years I’ve been doing this, my brother. My lineage goes way, way back then. Before I was even in question to get this title shot, I had to go and get famous. You know how hard that (expletive) was? I had to get (expletive) famous, man, go viral and (expletive), before they’d even consider giving me the title.”

Before Masvidal potentially gets a crack at McGregor, the Irishman has business of his own he needs to handle. At UFC 246 on Jan. 18, McGregor takes on Donald Cerrone in the pay-per-view main event.

Masvidal has indicated his next booking is contingent on what goes down at UFC 246. If the pieces fall into place, fight fans could end up with a welterweight blockbuster down the line.